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Friends of Montrose library smile at book donations

MONTROSE — For years, the Friends of the Library organization has sold used books by the ton and used the proceeds to pay for reading programs that help keep the public involved with the Montrose Regional Library.

The volunteer group continually seeks donations for the annual Summer Reading Program for youth, for poetry readings and for other library events throughout the year.

Library staff sort through the donated books and determine which will be added to the library’s collection and which will be sold during a Friends of the Library sale.

“The ultimate goal is to have adequate supply for the Friends of the Library book sales, but it’s totally dependent on the public, and the public has been very good to us,” Friends of the Library volunteer Shirley Jentsch said.

“Once the books are sold at one of our sales, they are stamped with a Friends of the Library stamp. Many times when people are done with those books, they’ll donate them back, and for me that is the real beauty of the process,” Jentcsh added.

Aside from book sales, Friends of the Library raises funds by selling book bags, memberships and book repair services, and it receives gifts and endowments. The sales and services help fund the Montrose Regional Library beyond its yearly operating budget and allow the facility to maintain popular programs and volunteer services.

Book repair is offered on the first Saturday of each month and runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Donations can be dropped off at any time at the Montrose Regional Library, 320 S. Second St. Additional information can be found at http://www.montroselibrary.org or by calling 970-249-9656.